U.S. patent application number 15/029250 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for functional flip cover protective case with physical keypad for smart phone devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tieng WONG CHEE. Invention is credited to TIENG WONG CHEE.
Application Number | 20160277053 15/029250 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52828415 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160277053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WONG CHEE; TIENG |
September 22, 2016 |
FUNCTIONAL FLIP COVER PROTECTIVE CASE WITH PHYSICAL KEYPAD FOR
SMART PHONE DEVICES
Abstract
A functional flip cover protective case having a physical keypad
and a transparent viewing window for touch-based smart phone device
is being disclosed. The functional flip cover protective case
comprising an integral flip cover attached a protective case; the
flip cover includes a built in physical keypad device and a
transparent viewing window on the front side of the flip cover when
the flip cover is in closed position; wherein the flip cover
further comprising a sensor to detect opening and closing actions;
wherein the protective case may comprising a data/power connector,
and/or a Bluetooth device, and/or a NFC (Near Field Communication)
device for corresponding between the physical keypad and the smart
phone device; wherein upon closing the flip cover, the physical
keypad will be activated to take over the input controls of the
smart phone device. In addition, the display output on touch screen
of the smart phone device will be limited within the boundary of
the transparent viewing window; wherein upon the opening the flip
cover, the physical keypad will be deactivated and return the input
controls to the smart phone device; wherein further comprising a
software module to be installed in the smart phone device to
correspondence with the censor and physical keypad of the flip
cover.
Inventors: |
WONG CHEE; TIENG; (PENANG,
MY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WONG CHEE; Tieng |
Penang |
|
MY |
|
|
Family ID: |
52828415 |
Appl. No.: |
15/029250 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
October 10, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/MY2014/000251 |
371 Date: |
April 13, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/3888 20130101;
H04M 1/23 20130101; H04M 1/0202 20130101; H04M 1/72575 20130101;
G06F 2200/1634 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; H04M 1/0283
20130101; G06F 2200/1633 20130101; G06F 1/1669 20130101; G06F
1/1671 20130101; H04M 1/0279 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/3888 20060101
H04B001/3888; H04M 1/725 20060101 H04M001/725; H04M 1/23 20060101
H04M001/23; H04M 1/02 20060101 H04M001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 14, 2013 |
MY |
PI 2103701945 |
Claims
1. A functional flip cover protective case device for a touch-based
smart phone device, comprising: a protective case to hold and
protect the smart phone device and a flip cover attached to the
protective case to protect the touch screen of the smart phone; a
built in physical keypad device on the front side of the flip cover
when the flip cover is in closed position; a transparent viewing
window on the flip cover to view smart phone device's display
output;
2. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein a censor device may be built into the flip cover to detect
the opening and closing action of the flip cover;
3. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein upon the flip cover is in closed position, the physical
keypad will be activated to take over the input controls of the
smart phone device;
4. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 2,
wherein upon the flip cover is in closed position, the display
output on the touch screen of the smart phone device will limit to
display proximate within the boundary of transparent display
window;
5. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein upon the flip cover is in opened position, the physical
keypad will be deactivated and release the input controls to the
smart phone device;
6. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein further comprising a software module install in the smart
phone device to correspondence with the censor and physical keypad
of the flip cover;
7. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein the size of flip covers shall cover at least cover the
entire surface of the touch screen on the front side of the smart
phone device;
8. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein the positioning of the physical keypad may be left or right
align for bigger size smart phone;
9. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein the flip cover may be attached to any side of the
protective case;
10. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein the physical keypad device is built into the front side of
the flip cover;
11. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 9,
wherein the physical keypad is type of numeric keypad with variety
of design, layout and function keys and excludes QWERTY keyboard
type of keypad.
12. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 9,
wherein the physical keypad is of the type super thin keypad such
as emboss or 3D tactile membrane keypad or equivalents in terms of
thickness and tactile input feel;
13. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein specialized software module may be implemented in the smart
phone device for corresponding with the physical keypad and/or
sensor of the flip cover;
14. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1,
wherein the flip cover is of type transparent material thus the
transparent viewing window is not required.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention related to a protective flip cover
device, particularly related to a protective flip cover device for
smart phone device, more particularly related to a protective flip
cover device having a built-in physical keypad and a transparent
viewing window for smart phone device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION/RELATED ART
[0002] Smart phone devices may be portable electronic device such
as smart phones, cell phones, smart phone tablets etc. Smart phone
devices recently experienced rapid development and tend to employ
various additional functions in addition to a basic telephony
functions. To cope with users' demands, smart phone devices having
various functions have been launched.
[0003] Such the smart phone device includes a basic telephony
function, and may be having a digital camera module, and in
addition thereto, is capable of performing communication through
Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) or 3.sup.rd Generation (3G), 4.sup.th
Generation (4G) network, wireless communication with neighbouring
devices through a Bluetooth module, and communication using Near
Field Communication (NFC). In addition, a variety of location
information services can be accessed using the smart phone by
simultaneously employing a Global Positioning System (GPS) module,
a terrestrial magnetism sensor, or an ambient light sensor, etc.
The usage environment of the smart phone and smart phone tablet can
thus be automatically controlled using various communication and
location functions.
[0004] Meanwhile, the smart phone and smart phone tablet allows a
user to capture a video including High Definition (HD) video by
using a built in digital camera, to listen to the music of various
file format including MPEG Audio Layer-3 (MP3) file, and to enjoy a
video file storing in the internal memory of or external memory
card plug in to the smart phone devices.
[0005] A smart phone devices may be also used to store, to view, to
create and to manage electronic documents, personal data etc.
[0006] The form factor of smart phone has evolved from
initial-stage form factor like a bar-type form, a folder-type form,
a slide-type form etc., to a smart phone or smart phone tablet
which has a typical bar-type form factor and has a touch
input/output pattern with a large screen placed to occupy a greater
part of a front side of the smart phone device.
[0007] The recent trend of smart phones form factor are mostly
dominating by bar-type form factor that has a large screen occupy
majority surface area of the front side of the smart phone devices
for better viewing and touch input/output experience. The size of
the touch screen of smart phone device also getting bigger from
proximate 3.5'' to 6.5'' or more and smart phone tablet will have a
touch screen size from proximate 7'' to 10'' or more.
[0008] Despite the touch input of smart phone devices has virtually
replace all the functionalities of traditional cell phone's
physical keypad. However, there are some native characteristics of
physical keypad that cannot be replaced by touch input using touch
screens. Such characteristics include the physical touch and press
feel a.k.a. tactile input of the physical keypad. The input
accuracy of physical keypad also much better comparing with touch
screen input particularly when using single hand and one thumb for
inputting. In most of the cases, the input using touch screen
required both hands to hold the smart phone device and use the
thumbs to input or one hand hold the smart phone device and the
other hand do the input using fingers. Single hand input is mostly
difficult because of the sensitivity of touch screen and particular
when using bigger size smart phone device with large touch
screen.
[0009] The simplicity and fixed key layout region of physical
keypad also makes it possible for many users to make a call simply
by using their thumbs without even looking at the phone screen as
they can feel the keys and its positioning. This advantage of
physical keypads is hard to mimic by touch input using touch
screens as touch screens are too sensitive and users are prone to
input wrongly. In addition, it is hard for smartphone users to make
a call without looking at the phone's touch screen as there is no
physical touch feel like physical keypad.
[0010] There are some smart phones devices do provide both the
touch screen and physical QWERTY keyboard as input interface.
However, the present of physical QWERTY keyboard will typical
occupy proximate 1/4 to 1/2 of area of the front side of the smart
phone devices. This will cause the size of the touch screen will
have to make smaller and will reduce the viewing and touch
input/output experience of the users. Furthermore, the small
physical keys of QWERTY keyboard are also difficult for users to
make input accurately versus the physical keypad to make call
particularly when using single hand thumb input method.
[0011] Therefore, the advantages of physical keypad mentioned above
are hard to mimic by both touch screen input or physical QWERTY
keyboard input.
[0012] Additionally, consumers who purchase a smart phone are most
likely to use an additional protective case particularly flip cover
protective case to protect the exterior of the smart phone and the
touch screen of the smart phones from collided, wearing away and
from damages caused by accidentally knocking, dropping, impacting
and etc. The flip cover protective case is made of material such as
rubber, silicon, urethane or metal aluminium or combination of
various material etc. The flip cover protective case is having a
protective case or shell or frame which is used to attach to the
back side and/or edge of the smart phone device, and having an
integral flip cover attached to one side of the protective case,
shell or frame which can be opened when need to use the smart phone
device and to be closed when the smart phone is not in used to
protect the touch screen of the smart phone.
[0013] However, most of the flip cover protective case of the smart
phone devices typically has just single function of protecting or
decorating the exterior and touch screen of the smart phone. Some
latest flip cover protective case do provide additional functions
to activate and de-activate the touch screen of the smart phone
device when user opens or closes the flip cover. Some flip cover is
having a transparent viewing windows to display information like
current date and time within the boundary of the transparent
viewing window when user close the flip cover and also the user to
answer a phone call by swiping the transparent viewing window
without open the flip cover.
[0014] There are also flip cover protective cases come with
Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard typically attached to the inner side of
the flip cover. The user can only use the keyboard when open the
flip cover. However, the input always need to always occupy both
hands of the user or the user have to put the keyboard flip cover
case on a flat surface like table to do the keyboard input.
Furthermore, such type of flip cover is general much heavy and
thicker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] An aspect of the present invention is to address at least
the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and provides
additional advantages, by providing a functional flip cover
protective case having a built in physical keypad on the front side
of the flip cover when the flip cover is at the closed position and
it is occupied proximate lower portion of the flip cover, and a
transparent viewing window on the flip cover locate proximate the
middle to upper part of the flip cover. When user closes the flip
cover over the front side of the smart phone, the physical keypad
will be activated to take cover the input controls of the smart
phone device and when user open the flip cover, the physical keypad
will be deactivated and return the input controls to the smart
phone device. Therefore, the smart phone device with the flip cover
closed may be implemented as a cell phone or smart phone with
physical keypad to conveniently make call, receive call, text
messaging and etc. without having to open the flip cover and
one-handed operations also convenient as the ordinary keypad cell
phone. Therefore, whilst protecting the smart phone device, the
user can continue access most of the important smart phone features
via the physical keypad input, with the advantages, convenient and
the native tactile input of the physical keypad, the present
invention address one of the biggest shortcoming of touch-based
smart phone device that has no built in physical keypad.
[0016] In addition, a sensor may be built into the flip cover to
detect the closing and opening action. The same may be achieved for
smart phone device that having light censor in the front side of
the smart phone and therefore, for such type of smart phone device,
the sensor on the flip cover is not necessary is unnecessary.
[0017] In addition, when the flip cover is in closed position, the
output on the touch screen of the smart phone device will be
display within the boundary of the transparent viewing window so
that the user can view the display output or content via the
transparent windows.
[0018] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
protective case, shell or frame which can always be used to hold
and protect the smart phone device and the protective case, shell
or frame having an integral functional flip cover to protect the
touch screen of the smart phone device by covering the front side
of the smart phone device.
[0019] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the
physical keypad herein refers to numerical type of traditional cell
phone's keypad. The physical keypad herein is not referring to
physical QWERTY keyboard or other variant of physical keyboard for
smartphone device.
[0020] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the
physical keypad generally will be located at the lower part of the
flip cover. For smaller smart phone devices with touch screen size
proximate 4.5'' below, the physical dial pad may locate at lower
middle of the flip cover. For larger smart phone devices over
proximate 4.5'', the physical keypad might be right aligned to
locate at proximate lower right of the flip cover or left aligned
to locate at proximate lower left of the flip cover to facilitate
single hand thumb input. For even larger devices like smart phone
tablet may have 1 or 2 separate physical keypads at proximate lower
left and/or lower right portion of the flip cover.
[0021] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the
transparent viewing window or area will occupy proximate middle to
upper portion of the flip cover and is mostly within the boundary
of the smart phone device's touch screen except for flip cover that
is formed by transparent material where the transparent viewing
window is not required. The main function of the transparent
viewing window is to allow the user view the content or display
output on the smart phone's touch screen when using the physical
keypad on flip cover as input device for the smart phone.
[0022] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the
input communication or interactive methods between the physical
keypad of the flip cover and the smart phone devices may be any one
or combination of the following methods: 1) Having a compatible
connector to plug in to the power/data port of the smart phone
device including but not limited to mini USB port and etc., 2) via
Bluetooth communication, 3) via NFC communication, 4) via smart
phone's touch screen by using a touch-enabled keypad. As the
options 1, 2 and 3 required power sources to function; we can
obtain the power through connection with the power port of the
smart phone or using an internal build in rechargeable battery or
both. The internal built in battery may be stored in the protective
case or in the flip cover.
[0023] In addition, the protective case to hold the smart phone
device may be a shell type protective case which cover the back
side and edge of the smart phone device, or may be a frame type
protective case which cover the edge of the smart phone device, or
may be a battery cover type of protective case which replace the
original battery cover of the smart phone device for smart phone
device with removable battery cover.
[0024] In addition, the protective case may be having an electric
circuit device built in and a power and data connector to connect
to the smart phone device's power and data connector to obtain
electrical power for the physical keypad of the flip cover and to
communicate with the smart phone device.
[0025] In addition, the protective case or the flip cover maybe
have Bluetooth communication device or NFC communication device
built in for communicating the physical keypad with the smart phone
device.
[0026] In addition, in order to minimize the overall thickness and
weight of the flip cover whilst maintaining the good tactile input
feel, the physical keypad of the flip cover may be implemented
using emboss or 3D tactile membrane keypad or equivalents in terms
of thickness, tactile input feel and durable.
[0027] In addition, the physical keypad's design, individual dial
key design and layout might be vary and subject to further
improvement from time to time for better input experiences.
[0028] In addition, the protect case, shell or frame may be formed
by at least one of the materials including but not limited to
rubber, silicone, urethane, polyurethane, synthetic resin,
aluminium, plastic, PVC, synthetic leather or composition material
and etc.
[0029] In addition, the physical keypad may be implemented using
touch-enabled keypad that formed by touch sensitive material to
provide touch input directly to the touch screen of the smart phone
device when user press any key on the touch-enabled keypad to touch
the surface of the touch screen. Such method required the key
layout and positioning synchronisation between the physical keypad
with the touch screen of the smart phone.
[0030] In additional the flip cover may be formed by at least one
of the materials including but not limited to rubber, silicone,
urethane, polyurethane, synthetic resin, plastic, PVC, synthetic
leather or composition material and etc.
[0031] In addition, the transparent viewing window may be formed by
transparent materials including but not limited to polystyrene,
nylon, silicone, high tensile glasses and etc. that is suitable and
durable. Additional treatment and coating may be applied to the
transparent viewing window to improve its transparent visual effect
and scratch resistance.
[0032] In addition, software module may be implemented in the smart
phone device to enable and control the communication and/or
functions between the physical keypad with smart phone device.
[0033] Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the arts from
the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction
with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flip cover protective case
device with physical keypad where the flip cover is in a partial
closing position and illustrating a state in which a smart phone
device is placed into the protective case according to 1.sup.st
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a top view and 3.sup.rd angle projection front
view of a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad
where the flip cover is in a fully closing position.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a top view of a flip cover protective case device
with physical keypad in fully open position with the both the top
side of the flip cover and bottom side of the protective case
facing up;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a 3.sup.rd angle projection's front view of FIG. 3
and illustrating a state in which a smart phone device is placed
into the protective case of FIG. 4;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a flip cover protective case device with physical
keypad in fully open position with the both the inner sides of the
flip cover and of the protective case facing up;
[0039] FIG. 6 a 3.sup.rd angle projection's front view of FIG. 5
and illustrating a state in which a smart phone device is placed
into the protective case of FIG. 6;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a flip cover protective case device with physical
keypad with difference flip cover opening direction from bottom to
top instead of left to right according to 2.sup.nd exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 8 is a 3.sup.rd angle projection's right view of FIG.
7;
[0042] FIG. 9 is another version of a flip cover protective case
device with physical keypad in which the protective case is a frame
type case according to 3.sup.rd exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 10 a 3.sup.rd angle projection's front view of FIG. 9
and illustrating a state in which a smart phone device is placed
into the protective case of FIG. 10;
[0044] FIG. 11 is a flip cover protective case device with physical
keypad with difference keypad layout design according to 4.sup.th
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 12 is a flip cover protective case device with physical
keypad with difference dial keys design according to 5.sup.th
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 13 is a flip cover protective case device with physical
keypad with additional function keys according to 6.sup.th
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 14 is a flip cover device with physical dial pad of the
present invention shows the right alignment of the dial pad for
bigger size smart phone devices according to 7.sup.th exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 15 is a flip cover protective case device with physical
keypad shows the right alignment of the keypad for bigger size
smart phone device according to 8.sup.th exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 18 is a flip cover protective case device with physical
keypad shows the left alignment of the keypad for smart phone
tablet device according to 9.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0050] FIG. 19 is a flip cover protective case device with physical
keypad with 2 keypads on lower left and lower right of smart phone
tablet devices according to 10.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] The following description with reference to the accompanying
drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of
exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and
their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist
in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely
exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments
described herein can be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions
and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0052] The terms and words used in the following description and
claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are
merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent
understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent
to those skilled in the art that the following description of
exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for
illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the
invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0053] The present invention refers a smart phone device as a touch
input/output-based smart phone or smart phone tablet in which a
larger area of front side of the smart phone device is occupied by
a touch screen device and there is no built in physical keypad for
the smart phone device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a
functional flip cover protective case device with physical keypad
where the flip cover 1 is in a partial closing position, and
illustrating a state in which a smart phone device 31 is placed
into the protective case 11 with the touch screen 34 face up. The
arrow 21 is the closing direction of the flip cover 1. There is a
physical keypad 2 with dial keys 3 and function keys 4 occupying
the lower portion of front side of the flip cover 1. In addition,
there is also a transparent viewing window 5 occupying upper
portion of the flip cover 1. The through slot hole 6 on the flip
cover 1 is the relief hole for the built in speaker of the smart
phone device.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 1, label 11 is the protective case or
protective back cover for the smart phone device in which there is
a relief through hole 12 for the build in camera device of the
smart phone device, a relief through hole 13 for the build in flash
light of the smart phone device, a relief through hole 14 for the
back speaker of the smart phone device and a power/data port 15 to
be connect to the power/data port of the smart phone device. The
position of through holes 12, 13, 14 may be varying depending on
the model of smart phone device it attaches to. The location and
type of power/data port 15 may also difference depending on smart
phone device attach to.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a combine perspective views illustrating a
functional flip cover protective case with physical keypad in which
the flip cover is in a fully closed position. The direction arrow
21 illustrates the closing direction of the flip cover.
[0056] FIG. 3 is a top view of a functional flip cover protective
case device with the built in physical keypad in fully open
position with the both the top side of the flip cover 1 and bottom
side of the protective case 11 facing up. FIG. 4 is the 3.sup.rd
angle projection front view of the FIG. 3 illustrating a state in
which a smart phone device 31 is placed into the protective case 11
where the label 32 is the front side of the smart phone device 31
where the touch screen of the smart phone device locates and the
label 33 is the back side of the smart phone device 31. Label 21
shows the closing direction of the flip cover after the smart phone
device 31 is placed in to the protective case 11.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a top view of a flip cover protective case device
with built in physical keypad in fully open position with the both
the inner sides of the flip cover 1 and protective case 11 facing
up. FIG. 6 is the 3.sup.rd angle projection front view of the FIG.
5 illustrating a state in which a smart phone device 31 is placed
into the protective case 11 where the label 32 is the front side of
the smart phone device 31 where the touch screen of the smart phone
device locates and the label 33 is the back side of the smart phone
device 31. Label 21 shows the closing direction of the flip cover
after the smart phone device 31 is placed in to the protective case
11.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as FIGS. 5 and 6, a
smart phone device 31 is placed into a protective case 11 to
decorate the exterior thereof or improve a grip feel and to protect
surrounding edge and/or back side of smart phone device 31. After
the device 31 is placed into the protective case 11, the flip cover
1 can then be closed in direction 21 to provide protection to the
front side of the smart phone device 31 where the touch screen
locates.
[0059] The exemplary smart phone device 31 depicted in FIGS. 4, 6
and 10, is a touch input/output-based smart phone. Although not
shown, there will be a touch screen display device which occupies a
greater part of a front side 32 the smart phone device 31, an ear
piece speaker for receiving a voice of a peer user is placed to an
upper portion of the front side 32 of the smart phone device 31, a
microphone for transmitting a voice to the peer user is placed to a
lower portion of the smart phone device 31. In addition thereto,
although still not shown, such a smart phone may further include
various sensors, such as a well-known digital camera module, an
ambient light sensor, etc., to improve a function of smart phone
device 31.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 17, there is at least one physical
keypad device 2 on the front side of flip cover 1. When a smart
phone device 31 is placed in to the protective cover 11 as
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 10, and when user closes the flip
cover 1 over the front side of the smart phone device 31, the built
in physical keypad on the flip cover will be activated to take over
the input controls of the smart phone device so that user can use
the physical keypad on the front side of the flip cover to do all
the telephony operation including but not limited to making call,
receiving call, text messaging and etc. In addition, the user can
also use the physical keypad to operate all the smart phone
functionalities possible with the physical keypad when the flip
cover is in closed position.
[0061] Although it is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 10, there is a
power/data port 15 on the lower portion of the protective case 11
which to be used as the power and communication port between the
physical keypad 2 with the smart phone device 31, the present
invention is not limited there to, and thus the communication
between the physical keypad and the smart phone device may be
accomplish using one or combination of the following methods: 1)
Having a compatible connector to plug in to the power/data port of
the smart phone device including but not limited to mini USB port
and etc., 2) having a built in Bluetooth communication device in
the flip cover or protective case, 3) having a NFC communication
device in the flip cover or protective case, 4) via smart phone's
touch screen by using a touch-enabled keypad. As the options 1, 2
and 3 required power sources to function; we can obtain the power
through connection with the power port of the smart phone or using
an internal build in rechargeable battery or both. The internal
built in battery may be stored in the protective case or in the
flip cover.
[0062] Although it is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 to 17,
there is at least an transparent viewing window 5 on the flip cover
1, the present invention is not limited there to, and thus the flip
cover may be formed by transparent material and the transparent
viewing window 2 is not required.
[0063] In addition, although is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
to 17, the flip cover 1 is covering proximate the whole area or
surface of the front side of a smart phone device, the present
invention is not limited there to, and thus the flip cover may be
cover a smaller area or surface of the front side of the smart
phone device but always at least cover the whole surface area of
the touch screen on the front side of the smart phone device.
[0064] FIGS. 7 and 8 is another variant of exemplary embodiment of
the present invention where the flip cover with physical keypad is
attached to the upper or lower side of the protective case instead
of left or right side of the protective case. The FIGS. 9 and 10
shows another protective case option where the protective case is
formed by a frame type case in which the U shape frame 11a will
combine with U shape frame 11b in direction 16 over the edge of the
smart phone device to hold and protect the smart phone device. The
type of protective case to be used does not limit to the
abovementioned methods; it may also use the battery cover type of
protective case to replace the original battery cover of the smart
phone device if the smart phone device is having a removable
battery cover and etc.
[0065] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 shows variety types of physical keypad
layout design, dial key design and function key design, the present
invention is not limited there to, and thus may be using difference
physical keypad design and layout to provide better keypad input
functionality and experience.
[0066] FIGS. 14 and 15 shows the positioning of the physical keypad
to be right and left aligned on the flip cover. It is necessary for
bigger size smart phone device to make the one-handed operation
easy.
[0067] FIGS. 16 and 17 shows the physical keypad on the flip cover
of smart phone tablet device. As the smart phone tablet device is
much bigger, there may have two physical keypad on left and right
side of the flip cover as in FIG. 17 so that the user can either
use left or right hand to do the input.
[0068] In addition, although not shown, a sensor may be built into
the flip cover 1 to detect the closing and opening action. The same
may be achieved for smart phone device that having light censor in
the front side of the smart phone and therefore, for such type of
smart phone device, the sensor on the flip cover is not necessary
is unnecessary.
[0069] In addition, when the flip cover 1 is in closed position,
the output on the touch screen of the smart phone device will be
display within the boundary of the transparent viewing window 5 so
that the user can view the display output or content via the
transparent windows.
[0070] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
protective case, shell or frame which can always be used to hold
and protect the smart phone device and the protective case 11 or
frame 11a and 11b having an integral functional flip cover 1 to
protect the touch screen of the smart phone device by covering the
front side of the smart phone device.
[0071] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the
physical keypad 2 herein refers to numerical type of traditional
cell phone's keypad. The physical keypad herein is not referring to
physical QWERTY keyboard or other variant of physical keyboard for
smartphone device.
[0072] In addition, the protective case may be having an electric
circuit device built in and a power and data connector to connect
to the smart phone device's power and data connector to obtain
electrical power for the physical keypad 2 of the flip cover 1 and
to communicate with the smart phone device.
[0073] In addition, although not shown, the protective case 11 or
the flip cover 1 maybe have Bluetooth communication device or NFC
communication device built in for communicating the physical keypad
2 with the smart phone device.
[0074] In addition, in order to minimize the overall thickness and
weight of the flip cover while maintenance good tactile input feel,
the physical keypad 2 of the flip cover 1 may be implemented using
emboss tactile membrane keypad or equivalents in them of thickness,
tactile input feel and durable.
[0075] In addition, the physical keypad's design, individual dial
key design and layout might be vary and subject to further
improvement from time to time for better input experiences.
[0076] In addition, the protect case 11 or frame 11a, 11b may be
formed by at least one of the materials including but not limited
to rubber, silicone, urethane, polyurethane, synthetic resin,
aluminium, plastic, PVC, synthetic leather or composition material
and etc.
[0077] In addition, the physical keypad 2 may be implemented using
touch-enabled keypad that formed by touch sensitive material to
provide touch input directly to the touch screen of the smart phone
device when user press any key on the touch-enabled keypad to touch
the surface of the touch screen. Such method required the key
layout and positioning synchronisation between the physical keypad
with the touch screen of the smart phone.
[0078] In additional the flip cover 1 may be formed by at least one
of the materials including but not limited to rubber, silicone,
urethane, polyurethane, synthetic resin, plastic, PVC, synthetic
leather or composition material and etc.
[0079] In addition, the transparent viewing window 5 may be formed
by transparent materials including but not limited to polystyrene,
nylon, silicone, high tensile glasses and etc. that is suitable and
durable. Additional treatment and coating may be applied to the
transparent viewing window to improve its transparent visual effect
and scratch resistance.
[0080] In addition, software module may be implemented in the smart
phone device to correspondence with the physical keypad and/or
sensor of the flip cover 1.
[0081] The advantage of the present invention is to add physical
keypad functionalities to the smart phone device that the physical
keypad is not presented. The present invention not only serves the
original purpose of protecting and decorating the smart phone
devices, but also allow user continue to use majority functions of
the smart device when the flip cover is closed via the physical
keypad on the front side of the flip cover. The physical keypad on
the flip cover also makes one-handed operations possible to make
call, receive call, text messaging etc. This is particular crucial
when there is a need to make a urgent call whilst only one hand is
free for safety purpose.
[0082] As would be seen by one skilled in the art there are various
methods capable of modifying these embodiments without departing
from the scope of claims in the present invention. In other words,
there may be many other methods for which the present invention can
be implemented without departing from the scope of the claims.
[0083] Although the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and
their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present invention
should not be limited to the above-described embodiments but should
be determined by not only the appended claims but also the
equivalents thereof.
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